How to enhance your digital hygiene practices

A well-maintained bicycle or car helps us reach our destination safely and reliably. The same applies to our digital devices. Small habits help keep our devices secure, reliable and ready for everyday use.

Small habits to build

Install updates as soon as they become available

Why does this matter?
Software updates do much more than introduce new features or a refreshed design. They fix bugs, improve your device's performance and patch security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

How do you make it a habit?
Enable automatic updates wherever possible. When your device notifies you that an update is available, make it a habit to install it straight away instead of postponing it.

Only use trusted USB drives and other removable media

Why does this matter?
USB drives, external hard drives and other removable media can contain malicious software without showing any obvious signs. Connecting just one unknown device may be enough to infect your device with malware.

How do you make it a habit?
Pause for a moment before plugging in a USB drive or other storage device. Only use removable media that you trust or that has been approved by your organisation.

Regularly remove apps and software you no longer use

Why does this matter?
Old or unused software does not always continue to receive security updates and may introduce unnecessary risks. It can also make it harder to keep track of what is installed on your device.

How do you make it a habit?
Set aside a regular time, for example once a month, to review your device. Remove any apps and software you no longer use.

Other good practices

Alongside these habits, a few simple security measures can help keep your devices healthy:

  • Use trusted security software, such as antivirus or endpoint protection, and check regularly that it is working properly.
  • Change the default passwords on your devices. Many devices are shipped with default passwords that are publicly known or easy to guess. Replace them with a strong, unique password as soon as possible to prevent unauthorised access.
  • Back up your important files regularly. Enable automatic backups on your devices, including your smartphone or tablet, wherever possible. This helps ensure your files are safely backed up without you having to think about it – and if something does go wrong, you won't lose everything.
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